Sheila Reid Olympics Situation

No. Read the rules. Sheila had her opportunity. Why do you think she was traveling all over the USA trying to qualify in the first place? No problem, she is a great runner and she and Jordan Hasay will carry on the legacy.

what Canadian can seriously beat her in the 15 or 5k??? WHO?????

What the hell does Hasay have to do with this? NOTHING!! Her legacy ended in high school. She isn't on the same scale as Reid.

I guess proving she was competitive by winning afew NCAA championships running a couple B standards over a couple events and winning the Championship at Altitude isn't enough for Canada Track. Guess she has no potential brilliant decision.

Anyone know if there is anything the public can do to show support for Sheila? Maybe something similar to Genevieve LaCaze situation in Australia? I know LaCaze's situation was different, since she got the "A" standard, but it's crazy that Reid is being left off the team, given she's made the requirements set forth by the IOC, win with a B and no other A to go.

Megan Wright ran faster this year in the 5000m and I feel worse for her than Sheila. She has been closer to making an Olympic/World Champs team for several years and has never quite hit the standard or gotten a break from Canada.

Vin wrote:

it's crazy that Reid is being left off the team, given she's made the requirements set forth by the IOC, win with a B and no other A to go.

Not sure if it's just the marathon or not, but even getting the A standard isn't enough for Canada. The A standard in the marathon this year is 2:15, but to make the Canada team you had to run 2:11:30 or something like that.

Are Canada's stronger standards a result of cost, or based upon the philosophy that harder standards = better results?

I understand (though disagree with the idea) that some countries might not be willing to send everyone they can to the Olympics, because it could be awfully expensive just to see a lot of people go out in the first round. I don't understand the value in a policy that has harder standards than the Olympic A (as in the Canadian marathon policy- it sounds like their track standards aren't tougher than the A).

Canada has this stupid idea that by making athletes get an A+ standard, they'll somehow elevate the quality of their athletes. Of course, since it doesn't work like that, they're just going to leave athletes at home.

Um, dude. Megan Wright made the Olympic Final in 2008.. So I wouldn't say she's never "quite made it"

Canada requires 2 B standards + top 3 at Nats to qualify as a Rising Star and earn a trip to London. Sheila only had the 1 'B' for the 5k, as well as the top 3, so she needed another B before the end of June.

Typical Canadian qualifying bullsh*t. Send as many athletes as the IOC will allow you to send. AC bureaucrats, stop guarding your own little sad fifedoms.

Vin wrote:

Anyone know if there is anything the public can do to show support for Sheila? Maybe something similar to Genevieve LaCaze situation in Australia? I know LaCaze's situation was different, since she got the "A" standard, but it's crazy that Reid is being left off the team, given she's made the requirements set forth by the IOC, win with a B and no other A to go.

Why have selection rules then? The selection criteria was CLEARLY laid out. Sheila and every other Canadian knew what was required....and by what date.

Why are you trying to "re-write" the selection criteria now? Personally, I would like to see CONSISTENCY in selection criteria.

What??? Those Idiots realize that Sheila Reid is a 2 time Canadian National Champion and is CLEARLY THE BEST FEMALE DISTANCE RUNNER IN CANADA!!!! Officially lost all respect for Candian Athletics in general!! Do they even care about the actual competition aspect of the Olympics???

dumber than dumb wrote:

What??? Those Idiots realize that Sheila Reid is a 2 time Canadian National Champion and is CLEARLY THE BEST FEMALE DISTANCE RUNNER IN CANADA!!!! Officially lost all respect for Candian Athletics in general!! Do they even care about the actual competition aspect of the Olympics???

They are frugal.

Seriously Canadas team is not improved by sending a muliple NCAA Champion and someone who has run B standards in 2 events Seriously. What mental leap do you need to make to know that this athlete is wordclass Seriously. heres an idea instead send noone for the event that will improve the team Seriously. Get a brain Athletics Canada Seriously. Shame

The AC rules are very arbitrary. Even if the rules are published in advance they can be unfair when strictly applied as they have been in Sheila's case. She is a true star who should be at the Olympics this time.

gregorium wrote:

what Canadian can seriously beat her in the 15 or 5k??? WHO?????

A bunch can beat her in the 15, including the 2 who actually hit the a standard.

Well, not CLEARLY. She is obviously the future, but there are 3 1500m runners ahead of her, and 1 5000m runner, not to mention a bunch of 800s runners.

APoulter wrote:

Seriously Canadas team is not improved by sending a muliple NCAA Champion and someone who has run B standards in 2 events Seriously. What mental leap do you need to make to know that this athlete is wordclass Seriously. heres an idea instead send noone for the event that will improve the team Seriously. Get a brain Athletics Canada Seriously. Shame

They are not improved because she will not medal or make the final in her event.